Abstract: A device and method for removing and reinstalling tube bundles from and into heat exchanger shells. The device features a portable base with a pivotally mounted vertical telescoping column. A bundle support member is movably attached to one side near the top of the telescoping column. A carriage which is connected to the tube bundle is driven along the bundle support member thereby extracting or inserting the tube bundle. An off-loading mechanism comprising a pair of telescoping masts pivotally mounted to the bundle support member and having a boom pivotally mounted at the top of said masts can be used to transfer a tube bundle from the bundle support member to an adjacent bundle dolly. The masts feature a linkage which is attached to the boom thereby pivoting the boom as the telescoping masts are raised or lowered.

Abstract: The apparatus for removing and reinserting tube bundles into heat exchanger shells features an over the road vehicle having a bed. A vertical telescoping column is rotatably mounted to the rear of the bed. A bundle support member having a longitudinal axis is mounted to the top of the telescoping column and is adapted for slidable movement horizontally relative to the telescoping column and is further adapted for placement at elevations below the truck bed. A carriage is mounted on the bundle support member and is adapted to receive the flanged end of a tube bundle and be driven horizontally along the bundle support member. An offloading mechanism connected to the vertical telescoping column can be used for selectively unloading and reloading a tube bundle from the bundle support member to an awaiting bundle dolly.